Book Report: Crystal Gazing by Theodore Besterman (c) 1924

Crystal Gazing by Theodore Besterman (c) 1924

This is not a how-to, but rather an encyclopedic compilation of all kinds of methods of scrying (psychic visualizations utilizing some kind of object). There's certainly nothing that engages the imagination as much as a crystal ball, but as it turns out, people have been staring into all kinds of things seeking cues about the future and answers to their questions, such as staring into water, into ink, into the reflection of a fingernail, and of course, staring into crystals.

Whether you're a fan of psychic phenomena or of folklore, this is an edifying book to spend time with. The author researched and catalogued a vast number of different methods and traditions from different times and places around the world. Some of these techniques make the crystal ball seem positively mundane, like staring at a handful of ink or the reflection in an oiled thumbnail!

The book is divided into chapters based on the technique, culture, famous historical scryers, and so forth. There's also some scientific discussion of the process and it's veracity. 

In the first part of the 20th century, there was a great deal of serious research into things like clairvoyance and crystal gazing, and the British Society for Psychical Research was one of the most dedicated. Why a movie has never been made of the place is beyond me, since its members included some of the greatest scientists and public figures of the day, and they were passionately divided between true believers and adamant skeptics (in some cases, such as the curious Miss X, Ada Freer, one person was both an expert scryer and a debunker). 

Theodore Besterman was a skeptical member of the society for a number of years before going on to a career as a noted bibliographer and writer. This book is an impressive bit of scolarship, especially since he wrote it when he was only 20 years old!

Book Report: Hypnotism by George Estabrooks (c) 1959

Hypnotism by George Estabrooks (c) 1959

Background Information: There are a few Hypnotists who are considered the most influential of the 20th century. Dave Elman and Milton Erickson are usually named, but there's good reason to include a George Estabrooks as a third. He isn't known for his technique, but rather his application--he pursued applications for hypnosis far beyond what most people were able, or at any rate, willing, to go, and he did extensive work for the military and with the notorious MKULTRA project.

It's a real pity that this little book is so rare and difficult to find, since it's a excellent addition to any hypnotist's bookshelf. It's not a how-to book (sorry!) but rather an attempt by an expert to fully explain hypnotism to the lay public, and because of Estabrooks rather, uh, unique character and experiences, he can include observations that few other books do. 

If Elman was the master of "Authoritative" hypnosis, and Erickson was the impish master of "Permissive" hypnosis, Estabrooks comes across as an Evil Scientist of hypnosis, right out of a 60s spy movie. Well, maybe not quite "evil." He fully explains his position: he feels that, as a scientist, his job is to pursue the truth wherever it leads, without regard to social mores or even morality. In many way he's not wrong. This attitude allowed him to really examine Hitler's techniques for mob control scientifically and dispassionately, and he even makes the statement that he felt Hitler was the greatest (albeit evilest) hypnotist of all time. On the other hand, Esterbrooks also worked enthusiastically with the military and the CIA on various secret mind control projects, including the notorious MKUltra.
(Interestingly, it was probably not known at the time, but Hitler actually was coached in dealing with crowds by an Austrian-Jewish friend --Erik Jan Hanussen-- who was a theatrical hypnotist and mentalist, famous throughout Europe for his incredible and elaborate presentations that seemed to entrance the entire theater. It is very likely that the infamous Nuremberg Rallies were choreographed based on Hanussen's teachings).

Throughout the book, it seems the author takes a certain glee at his own amorality, such as when he jubilantly describes the way he felt hypnosis could be used to embed secrets in the memory of a spy and no matter how much he was tortured, he'd never reveal the secret, or even know he had it in his head. I don't know how true that is, but his claims that it could be done, as well as his claim that he could turn someone into a "Manchurian candidate"-style assassin certainly captured the imagination of many conspiracy theory fans. To me it seems more like the work of a professor who just enjoys shocking his audience, but who knows?

Nevertheless, Estabrooks' book is primarily written to inform the public about the hypnotic nature of the mind and what hypnosis is from a scientific point of view--not a magic power to be feared, but a psychological function that operates by certain rules of it's own, and one that can be harnessed by others, accidentally or deliberately. 

In one of the more important passages of the book, he specifies that the public has no reason to feat a scientist in a lab, since they will never have any interaction with the public, but rather that the ordinary person should be wary when they hear a seemingly ordinary speaker or  politician on TV who's speech is so stirring that the listener feels compelled to get up and do something. 

If you can get your hands on a copy, do read it. I was lucky enough to have found a copy of the paperback for about five bucks, with the stylish cover designed by the well known designer Milton Glaser (who would go on to redefine graphic design of the 60s and 70s), but foolishly gave it away to a friend. If you're interested in the design, here's a link to other M. Glaser book cover designs: https://archives.sva.edu/blog/post/milton-glasers-early-book-covers

Here's a very interesting article by a British hypnotist, Dan Jones, based on Estabrooks analysis of how Hitler turned a civilized country into a rabid, bloodthirsty mob: https://pressroom.journolink.com/dan-jones/release/the_components_of_mass_mind_control__inciting_mobs_uncovered_for_new_educational_video_by_hypnothera_8199

Book Report: Hypnotherapy by Dave Elman (c) 1970

Hypnotherapy by Dave Elman (c) 1970

Background Information:  Dave Elman is one of the two or three "big names" in 20th century hypnosis (the others being Milton Erickson and George Estabrooks). Regardless what style of hypnosis you do or are interested in, you will have encountered some "Elman" elements. Elman was a radio personality and amateur hypnotist, but his technique was so reliable that it was embraced by scientists and medical people.
https://daveelmanhypnosisinstitute.com/DaveElman-pg2.html

If you're interested in practicing hypnosis, or you just want a better understanding of the nuts-and-bolts of the hypnotizing process, this book is a must have. Elman is considered the main figure of "Authoritarian" or "Prestige" hypnosis, which simply means that it's a more formal process, when the practitioner gives the subject formal suggestions to follow. The well known "Elman Induction" is a series of mental imageries ("deepeners") and exercises that a hypnotist can present to his subject that reliably bring that person into a state of hypnotic trance (an induction is the verbal patter that the hypnotist uses to guide the subject into an hypnotic trance). With a little bit of basic knowledge, you could probably read an Elman Induction off a sheet of paper and reliably talk someone into an hypnotic state. This book describes how each single element of the Elman Induction came about, and what it does (Personally, I don't think they're quite as cut-and-dried in real life as they are in the book, but you'll have to be the judge of that). At the time he was writing this book, he was teaching his technique to a lot of dentists for painless extractions, so you can imagine that's a tough sell if the techniques didn't work! 

So if you want to demystify The Staircase, The Lost Numbers and other hypnotic goodies, you have to read this book. It's a cornerstone of modern hypnosis.

Book Report: Astral Travel for Beginners by Richard Webster (c) 1998

Astral Travel for Beginners by Richard Webster (c) 1998 

Background Information: Richard Webster is an award winning author and one of New Zealand's most successful and prolific authors, having written over 100 books on the subjects that he's passionate about, including New Age topics, magic tricks and mentalism. He's has written beginner's guides to all sorts of metaphysical topics.
https://www.richardwebster.co.nz/

A pretty thorough guide to going places while staying home! The author discusses the history and lore of Astral Travel, also known as an Out-of-Body-Experience (OOBE of OBE) as well as all it's variations, like mind travel, deliberate and spontaneous travel, bilocation, etheric doubles and more. Much of the book is a collection of various techniques and their histories, so that the aspiring traveler can find the one that appeals to them the most. Various preparatory relaxation and meditation exercises are also included.

Book Report: Neuro Linguistic Programming Vol. 1, by Dilts, Grinder, Bandler, DeLozier (c) 1980

Neuro Linguistic Programming Vol. 1,  by Dilts, Grinder, Bandler, DeLozier (c) 1980

This book may be too dry and technical for the curious layman, but for the experienced practitioner, it is an invaluable resource, and highly recommended. It is so full of engaging perspectives and techniques that my biggest frustration was not having enough people around to try everything out on. 

I came to this book after having learned and done NLP professionally for a number of years, and even though this dates back to the early days of NLP, it really is a treasure chest! 

The NLP that I've learned from a lot of different sources and teachers is a big amalgam of thought and technique based on so many different things that I usually refer to it as a kind of "toolbox." For nearly any situation, I can reach in and pull out just the right thing tool for the job. But being able to go back to the early days of the science, I could really clearly see how, at the root level, it really is all about defining the existing patterns of behavior that the client is currently employing both internally and in their interactions with the world.
"...how to..unpack and repack behavior..into efficient and communicable sequences that will be available to every member of the species." (P.2)

Being a book who's partial purpose is to introduce a new science to a critical audience, they are careful to offer rational, scientific explanations of everything they discus. If you're a practitioner and you've had to deal with people who are critical of the science behind NLP, here you may find answers to back you up if you've been needing them. 

Utilizing the basic sensory modalities of Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (VAK) as the things through which we interact with our world, the book shows us how structures are built up into strategies, and how to work with them. The TOTE (Test, Operate, Test, Exit) model is very much used as the basic logical structure, and you find the kind of VAK/thought diagramming of processes that was the hallmark of those early years, and betrays the cybernetic thinking that went into it. 

Of course you'll find all the techniques you know and love, anchoring, modeling and so forth, all clearly delineated within the framework, and there's a big emphasis on ecology checks. 

There just so much practical and theoretical material, as well as tips and tricks, that it's a book worth whatever you pay for it.

Book Report: The Celestine Prophesy by James Redfield (c) 1993

The Celestine Prophesy by James Redfield (c) 1993

This book of pop-philosophy found the perfect formula to rocket it to a New York Times Bestseller-- it's a novel, full of interesting, relatable characters who go off on a quest to discover the "9 Insights of the Celestine Prophesy." It's exciting, fast paced and full of movement. The Insights talk of a coming worldwide spiritual awakening, what to expect, and how to deal with it when it comes. It's very inspirational, and some of the Insights warn that there will be difficult times ahead, but it's all part of the grand scheme.

Clearly a lot of people loved this book and the sequels, and found real, practical value in what the author offered, and I think that's great. And if you liked this book, or you're curious to read it, by all means do so and form your own opinions.

SPOILER ALERT-- GROUCHFEST TO FOLLOW!!!

A lot of the books in my collection are pretty cheesy, as you've probably noticed already. Some were obviously banged out to make a buck, others were earnestly written by true believers. I usually find something useful in even the least plausible of them. I generally try to keep my opinions, good or bad, out of the reports, since other people may have different perspectives and tastes. While there is surely useful stuff in this particular book, the entire thing really rubbed me the wrong way. 

Right off the top, the Nine Insights of the Celestine Prophesy, that they have to go questing all over the world to find, are from an ancient Mayan Text from 600BC., which was written in Aramaic and found in Peru! NONE of that makes any sense, and no later explanation --I'm guessing there will be in some later volume-- can excuse this. Mayans are a Central and South American culture. Aramaic is a Middle Eastern Language. I'm not sure if either of those was around in 600BC, and they weren't in the same sides of the Earth. Even if they were, it probably wouldn't be Peru, because the Incas were already there, not the Mayans or the middle Easterners. On top of that, it seems like every character in the book, including random strangers, already knows the secrets, or knows where to find them, EXCEPT our heroes, which makes the narrative really wooden and simple. 

For what it's worth, Packaging the core Insights in the form of an adventure novel is brilliant marketing, but the whole thing just rubbed me the wrong way.

Book Report: The Self Hypnosis Book by Cherith Powell and Greg Ford (c)1995

The Self Hypnosis Book by Cherith Powell and Greg Ford (c)1995

This is a pretty standard and useful book on self hypnosis. It thoroughly describes how hypnosis works and how you can use it. 

It starts with basic hypnotic inductions and goes on to scripts for various practical goals, like weight loss, healing, confidence and so forth. 

With it, you can easily make your own self-hypnosis recordings to axchieve your goals. 

This book originally came with a tape cassette of the hypnotic sessions. (Mine didn't include it, so I can't comment on the quality of the recordings).